Search Result: How-To Guides

Some days it seems there's always some schmuck hell-bent on ruining my day. There have been times when I was really good at not letting the person get to me, and then there were other times when I wasn't and just added to the drama. In reality it is my reaction to the situation that has either helped or made it worse.

The job market is competitive, and this seems to be the question of the day. If you really want the job, a little practice and planning might get you over this hurdle. Exhale, calm down and follow these tips.

Setting up your goals properly makes coming up with the training elements very easy. Your training goal should be a statement of intent. If you are not defining your goals and therefore working toward them, you are merely treading water when you could be swimming.

Most departments have a policy or regulation regarding jewelry. The boilerplate verbiage could include a limit of one wristwatch, one bracelet, and one necklace that's not visible to the public. One ring per hand is standard. Earrings are usually allowed for females, and policies may now also cover male officers.

Many of my fellow law enforcement officers are also Facebook users and some hold steadfast that they will never use it. Many officers are against putting any information out on the Web, and I respect that choice. If you do choose to use a social site, I would like to encourage you to consider the following suggestions to avoid trouble.

As officers we ignore stress and drive on as if it were part of a crusade. Whether we choose to accept it or not, it's our responsibility as individuals to handle it. Most of us sleep very little, eat like crap, and continuously ride an emotionally and adrenaline-filled roller coaster.

I know you thought that when you came on the job that you would be cared for by the department. Yes, but not solely. Some departments have plans and shelters for families of first responders. What I recommend is a family drill. Have them prepare to evacuate in two hours or less.

Combat breathing was developed as a tactical survival skill in helping police and military personnel rapidly regain control of their breath, thereby gaining control of their body during critical situations.

Female searches can be problematic for cops of both genders. Male officers are hamstrung by an inability to conduct such pat-downs, and female officers by their male counterparts' need to bring them to the scene to do the job.

For the first time in history, we have four generations working side by side in the modern workplace. They consist of Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials (also known as Generation Y or Nexters). With four different groups working together, there is bound to be a collision between each other's set of values.

During my law enforcement career, I found it no real burden or inconvenience to carry one or two spare magazines or one or two extra speed loaders. One trick I learned is to invert double-magazine pouches to make them fit in a way that flatters your body and protrudes less.

The tools needed for simulating diminished hearing during training are basic: ear plugs and range ear muffs. These are effective for creating scenarios involving temporary hearing loss due to gun shots or other explosive sounds.

Dep. Jennifer Fulford never expected the assailant's 9mm bullet to rip through her nerves, disabling feeling in her fingers and causing the loss of use of her entire dominant hand. Fortunately, she was not out of ammo; she performed a one-handed reload with her weak (non-dominant) hand, as she had learned.

What I've learned over the years is that many officers will typically use way too much oil and solvent when cleaning their duty weapons. I've seen officers use lithium grease, brake cleaner and PB Blaster in their Glocks, but the main issues causing problems were from too much oil, or failure to remove all of the solvents.

Show the energy and drive you have to become their officer selection. Interview boards don't understand the "I will give you an honest day's work for an honest day's pay" work ethic. They want energy, motivation and somebody who is clamoring for the position.

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about some of the best advice I ever received. It seems only appropriate that I should also share some of the less sagacious comments I and other deputies and officers have received through the years, as well.

I was sure that I could take the dude, but my T.O. reminded me to never judge a book by its cover. He'd known a good many cops and suspects who'd gone headlong into fights, thinking they had the upper hand by virtue of their age, size, or perceived martial arts skill, and they promptly got their asses handed to them.

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